Interspecific tree `Flavor Ann`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree   (Prunus armeniaca× (Prunus salicina×Prunus armeniaca)×Prunus salicina! which has the unique combination of desirable features that are outstanding in a new variety. The following features of the tree and its fruit were characterized with the tree budded on nemaguard rootstock, grown on Hanford sandy loam soil, Storie Index rating 95, in USDA hardiness zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., and with standard commercial cultural fruit growing practices, such as, pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation, fertilization, etc.: 
     1. Early maturity of the fruit. 
     2. Fruit with good flavor and eating quality. 
     3. Regular and heavy production of fruit. 
     4. Fruit with good handling and shipping quality. 
     5. Having the ability to adequately pollinate Flavorella PlumCot (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,470). 
     6. Vigorous, semi-spreading growth.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The present new and distinct variety of interspecific tree(Apricot×PlumCot)×Plum! was originated by us in our experimental orchardlocated near Modesto, Calif., as a first generation cross between aselected seedling with field identification number 87EB90 with Royal ZeePlum (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,486). The maternal parent (87EB90)originated as a selected seedling from a cross of an apricot seedlingselection (15W297) with the plumcot seedling selection (4G1180). TheSelection (15W297) originated from open pollinated Flaming Gold Apricot(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,822) seed. The plumcot selection (4G1180)originated from an open pollinated Red Beaut Plum (U.S. Plant Pat. No.2,539) seed. A large group of these first generation crosses growing ontheir own root were planted and maintained under close observation byus, during which time, one such seedling which is of the presentvariety, being especially desirable for its fruit characteristics andits ability to pollinate Flavorella PlumCot (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,470),was selected for asexual propagation and commercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

Asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of interspecifictree was by budding to nemaguard rootstock, as performed by us in ourexperimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif., and shows that allcharacteristics of the tree and its fruit run true to the original treeand are established and transmitted through succeeding asexualpropagations.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree (Apricot×PlumCot)×Plum!which is of large size, vigorous, semi-spreading growth and a productiveand regular bearer of yellow flesh, freestone fruit with good flavor andeating quality. The fruit is further characterized by having firm flesh,good handling and shipping quality and being relatively uniform in sizethroughout the tree. The present variety of interspecific tree growssimilar to an apricot tree, has a slightly rougher bark condition,produces flowers that are similar in size and shape of an apricot butlighter in color. The bloom time coincides with Flavorella PlumCot (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 8,470) and the pollen is abundant, self-fertile andpollinates Flavorella.

PHOTOGRAPH OF THE VARIETY

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new interspecific variety. Theillustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, anexterior and sectional view of a fruit divided in it suture plane toshow flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place. Thephotographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked (shippingripe) and the colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in acolor representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety ofinterspecific tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based onobservations of specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., with colorterminology (except those in common terms) in accordance with ReinholdColor Atlas by A. Kornerup and J. H. Wanscher.

Tree:

Size.--Large -- tree growth pruned to 12' to 14' in height and 12' to14' in width for economical harvesting of fruit.

Vigor.--Vigorous -- growing to 6 to 8 feet in height and 5 to 7 feet inwidth the first growing season. Pruned in the late fall or early winterto select desirable scaffolds.

Form.--Semi-spreading, growth habit similar to normal apricot tree(heavy crop load has tendency to spread tree width).

Productivity.--Productive -- fruit set varies with climatic conditionsduring blooming period. Five consecutive years of adequate fruit set.

Bearer.--Regular. Fruit thinning varied from 1/4 to 1/2 of crop loadover a 5 year period.

Density.--Dense. Foliage from numerous smaller (1/4" to 3/4" caliper)branches growing throughout the tree, create this dense condition.Normal apricot pruning to a vase shape allows for more sunlight and airmovement throughout the center of the tree, which enhances fruit color,Brix and productivity.

Trunk:

Size.--Medium to large.

Texture.--Medium shaggy.

Color.--Brown to soot brown (5-E-5) to (5-F-5).

Branches:

Size.--Medium.

Texture.--Smooth to medium rough, varies with age of growth.

Lenticels.--Numerous. Large size.

Color.--Light brown to hair brown (5-D-6) to (5-E-4).

Leaves:

Size.--Large. Average length 4". Average width 21/2".

Form.--Obovate.

Margin.--Serrate.

Thickness.--Medium.

Surface.--Smooth.

Petiole.--Average length 11/8". Medium width.

Glands.--Globose. Number varies from 0 to 4. Average number 2. Smallsize. Located on petiole.

Color.--Upper surface -- green to dark green (28-F-5) to (28-F-7). Lowersurface -- grayish green to cactus green (28E-4) to (28-E-6).

Flower buds:

Size.--Medium.

Length.--Medium.

Form.--Plump.

Pubescence.--Pubescent.

Flowers:

Size.--Large. 11/8" to 11/4" in diameter.

Pollen.--Present, self-fertile. Pistil extends slightly above anthers.

Blooming period.--Date of first bloom: Feb. 13, 1996. Date of fullbloom: Feb. 19, 1996. Varies slightly with climatic conditions.

Color.--Pale pink (7-A-2) to (8-A-2), color fades with age of bloom.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.--Firm ripe.

Date of first picking.--May 13, 1996.

Date of last picking.--May 18, 1996. Varies slightly with climaticconditions.

Size.--Average diameter axially 23/8". Transverse diameter in sutureplane 2". Diameter measured at right angles to suture plane 17/8".Average weight 70 grams. Varies from 65 grams to 76 grams.

Juice.--Moderate amount, good balance between acid and sugar. enhanceseating quality of fruit. Brix range 14.7 to 18.8, average 16. The Brixvaries slightly with climatic conditions, warm sunny conditions duringfruit maturity increases Brix.

Form.--Nearly globose, sides slightly flattened toward suture plane.

Suture.--Pronounced, extends from base to apex.

Ventral surface.--Lipped, approximately 1/16".

Apex.--Varies from rounded to slightly retuse.

Base.--Retuse.

Cavity.--Rounded to slightly elongated in suture plane. Average depth1/8". Average breadth 1/2".

Stem:

Size.--Varies from 1/8" to 5/32" in length, average diameter 3/32",enlarged at fruit attachment.

Color.--Varies from dull green to grayish green (28-D-5) to (28-D-7).

Flesh:

Ripens.--Evenly.

Texture.--Firm.

Fibers.--Few, small tender.

Aroma.--Slight.

Amygdalin.--Wanting.

Eating quality.--Good.

Flavor.--Good.

Color.--Varies from yellowish white (4-A-2) near pit cavity to maizeyellow (4-A-6) near skin surface. Pit cavity varies from maize yelow tograyish yellow (4-A-6).

Skin:

Thickness.--Medium.

Texture.--Medium, tenacious to flesh.

Down.--Abundant, very short.

Tendency to crack.--None.

Color.--Sunflower yellow to golden yellow (4-A-7) to (5-A-7). Colorvaries during maturity stage, changing from green, to straw color and atmaturity becomes sunflower yellow to golden yellow. Fruit exposed tosunlight have a greater percentage of golden yellow color than fruitshaded by leaves. Color also varies with climatic conditions, cloudy andrainy conditions during the fruit maturity stage reduces the percentageof golden yellow color.

Stone:

Type.--Freestone.

Size.--Medium. Average length 11/8". Average width 7/8". Averagethickness 7/16".

Form.--Varies from ovoid to obovoid.

Base.--Usually straight, varies from straight to rounded.

Apex.--Nearly rounded, varies from round to acuminate.

Surface.--Lightly pitted throughout with shallow grooves extending frombase to apex on each side of suture plane.

Sides.--Varies from equal to unequal. Some stones are unequal with oneside being slightly larger in size. Stone size and shape may varyslightly with cliatic conditions. Wet weather during bloom time canresult in a percentage of fruit without viable embryos, shattered ormisshapen stones.

Tendency to split.--None.

Color.--Light brown and brown (5-C-5) to (5-D-5).

Use: Pollinator for Flavorella PlumCot (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,470).Dessert. Market, local and long distance.

Keeping quality: Good. The fruit holds firm on the tree for 6 to 7 daysafter maturity (shipping ripe).

Shipping quality: Good. The firm flesh of the fruit revealed minimalflesh bruising or skin scaring during packing and shipping trials.

The present new variety of interspecific tree, its flowers, foliage andfruit herein described may vary in slight detail due to climate, soilconditions and cultural practices under which the variety may be grown.The present description is that of the variety grown under theecological conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree,substantially as illustrated and described, characterized by its largesize, vigorous, semi-spreading growth and a productive and regularbearer of large, firm, yellow flesh, freestone fruit with good handlingand shipping quality; the fruit is further characterized by beingrelatively uniform in size throughout the tree, having good flavor andeating quality and the pollen from the flowers of the new variety beingabundant, self-fertile and being a good pollinator for